Sketchless

A terrible thing happened on the way back from Angouleme. Somehow my sketchbook went missing. I have not entirely given up hope but it is fading fast and I have no sketches to post. This year had been particularly magical as I got the chance to cast my vote for one of my all-time heroes of the pen to be the next President of the Jury, the incredible Willem. And not only had I had the chance to shake his hand, and subsequently have a few beers in his company, he had drawn in said sketchbook, examined it, and I had made several sketches of him. However he won the prize (Hallelujah!) and so he will be back next year. Though in his capacity as King of the Festival he may not be as free to mingle anonymously again.

Apart from this upsetting hiccup, the festival was as usual a joyous five days of exhibitions, talks, meeting old chums and new, with a lot of sketching and a bit of selling. And Hugo finally made the trip and joined me for two and a half days of boulimie BD. I will report in more detail in my next post.

Dessinators are go

It's been a while – I won't go in to the events of the last few months, suffice to say, Angouleme is upon us, and we are once again heading to foreign parts to spread the word of the London comics. We are now The Dessinators, a name which I believe will stick. Sean, Sally Ann, Dan, Oliver and I will be manning the table as usual. This year we will be flanked by none other than Paul Gravett, Peter Stanbury and the Comica Festival gang on one side, and the lovely Italians of Passenger Press on the other. Come and pay us all a visit in the Alternative Press tent. I have been preparing for the trip, as my kitchen bears witness.

Comiket Fall 2012

A great time was had at the Bishopsgate institute, Sally Anne and I squished up behind our table with the brilliant Doug 'Strip for me' Noble. A parade of talented individuals live drawing on the podium started with Alison Bechdel followed by Ellen Lindner, both on loan from the USA, and included a very glamorous Stephen Appleby, Line Hoven and her amazing scraperboard, Tobias Tak's nightmarish creatures and many more who are listed here. Jess Cave baked an amazing comic cake to which I contributed the top right hand panel, which was so awesome that my camera actually broke in my attempt to record it. Hence the only picture I have of the whole event.

Drink was taken at the Gun in the excellent company of Tom Oldham, Richy K, Gary Northfield and a host of others. Many thanks to Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury and all the organisers for putting on another successful day. And now a personal message to the person who bought two of my comics and left them behind on my table: please contact me so I can post them to you!

93 years

Dessinators are go

Our intrepid gang of globe-trotting comic artistes shall henceforth be known under the collective name of The Dessinators. Sounds pretty good, eh?

Hello again

I've been somewhat preoccupied for the last few months, and need to refocus. Here is a page from my sketchbook from this summer. Might develop into something, who knows...?

I will be venturing forth to Comiket on November 10.

Can do – should do – will do

Finally finished and sent off my story that will appear in issue 2 of Ink+paper, David O'Connell's wonderful, perfectly-formed comic anthology. Now to get on with my other projects... Whatever life throws at me, I always feel better when I draw, and even betterer after I actually complete something. I like feeling good, therefore I must create more – simple equation!